Abstract: A holder for a conventional high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) probe to be interfaced with a stepper atop a conventional tripod, or the like, to enable a physician/surgeon to image and visually inspect the rectal and prostate areas of a patient for signs of cancer and other abnormalities so that a treatment plan can be outlined and implemented. The probe holder includes a base, a pair of wall members detachably connected to one another at the front end of the base, and a pair of stand members detachably connected to one another at the rear end of the base. A first opening is formed between the pair of wall members to enclose and reliably support the proximal end of the probe. A second opening is formed between the pair of stand members to enclose and reliably support the distal end of the probe.

Abstract: A tissue protective system and method having particular application in thermoablative surgical therapies where heat or cold is used to create a kill zone for treating cancer cells as well as malignant or benign tumors in a targeted internal tissue area (e.g., the prostate) of a patient while sparing an adjacent benign internal tissue area (e.g., a neurovascular bundle). One of a hollow sheath or a balloon that is carried by a balloon catheter is located within an access opening that is made by a needle trocar inserted between the targeted tissue area in need of treatment and the benign tissue area to be protected in order to hold the protected tissue area off the targeted tissue area and away from the lethal temperature of the kill zone. The balloon of the balloon catheter is inflated in the access opening via a balloon channel which runs longitudinally through the catheter. At least one temperature sensor is mounted on the balloon and responsive to the temperature near the benign tissue area to be protected.

Abstract: A stereotactic surgical guide to be coupled to the shaft of a conventional ultrasonic probe for use during cryosurgery to enable a surgeon to easily, efficiently and accurately position one or more cryosurgical probes in the body of the patient for producing iceballs to kill cancer cells at a localized tissue area. The stereotactic surgical guide includes a laser carrying plate that carries a laser and is coupled to a worm drive. The distance between the ultrasonic probe and the organ in need of treatment is visually determined on the monitor of an ultrasound machine, and the worm drive is rotated to cause the laser carrying plate to move a corresponding distance, whereby the laser will be positioned in spaced opposing alignment with the organ. The laser is then energized and a light beam aimed towards the patient's body to establish a target through which the cryosurgical probe will be inserted to penetrate the body.

Abstract: A cryosurgical probe and method for treating cancer by cryosurgically destroying cancer cells by way of an ice ball formed at the distal end of the cryosurgical probe being located in proximity to the cancerous tissue to be treated. The probe is surrounded by a thermally insulating sheath. By varying the length and thickness of the thermally insulating sheath as well as the length of the unsheathed distal tip of the probe, the size and shape of the ice ball produced by the cryosurgical probe can be controllably tailored to correspond to the size, shape and location of the cancerous tissue so as to localize the cryogenic effect. Alternatively, the size and shape of the ice ball can be controlled by surrounding the cryosurgical probe with a heated sheath having a heating element and a temperature sensor to detect the temperature to which the sheath is heated.